15 December 2016 | Taxation
In the Scottish Budget today, Finance Secretary Derek MacKay set the Scottish Tax levels. He announced that the higher rate tax band for individuals resident in Scotland would not increase by as much as that in the rest of the UK.
This is part of the devolution settlement which allows the Scottish Parliament to vary Income Tax Rates and income tax bands. Until now these powers have never been used, but as a result of today’s announcement there will be a limited divergence between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
[table]
,2016/17,2017/18,2017/18
,All UK,Scotland,Rest of the UK
Personal allowance,”11,000″,”11,500″,”11,500″
Savings rate (tax free),”5,000″,”5,000″,”5,000″
Basic rate band (20%),”32,000″,”32,930″,”33,500″
Higher rate applies on income above,”43,000″,”43,430″,”45,000″
[/table]
There are no other differences, so as a result of today’s announcement, Scottish Tax Payers will pay 40% tax on £1,570 of income on which taxpayers in the rest of the UK pay tax at 20%.
Employers need to ensure that their payroll systems can cope with Scottish Tax rates and that they have correctly identified Scottish taxpayers, but as reporting remains unchanged, there should be only a limited impact on payroll administration.
Whether this proposal is finally passed by the Parliament, where the ruling SNP are in a minority, remains unclear; but this is where we stand at present.
Nicolson Accountancy have strategies in place to help taxpayers who may be affected by this, and if you want more information please contact Angus Nicolson today, or visit our BACS bureau sister company Payroll Scotland.